HONOR has officially launched the Magic V5, its latest foldable smartphone, claiming the title of the world’s thinnest foldable device—at least under certain conditions. Unveiled initially in China, HONOR has confirmed that the Magic V5 will roll out to international markets soon.
The Magic V5 measures 8.8mm thick when folded, narrowly undercutting the Oppo Find N5’s 8.9mm profile by 0.1mm. While the difference is negligible in everyday use, the Magic V5’s subtly curved edges contribute to a slightly slimmer feel in the hand. It’s worth noting, however, that this measurement only applies to the Ivory White variant. Other colour options register at 9mm thick, suggesting variations in finishing materials used across the lineup.
Yet, the claim of being the world’s thinnest foldable comes with an asterisk. The Magic V5’s triple rear camera module protrudes significantly, almost twice the height of Oppo’s equivalent setup. This added bulk diminishes the phone’s thin profile when handled. Despite this, HONOR may justify the extra size through improved camera performance, as larger sensors and wider apertures typically demand more space.
When unfolded, the Magic V5’s body measures 4.1mm thick, just 0.1mm thinner than the Oppo Find N5’s 4.2mm. However, Huawei still holds the edge in overall foldable thinness with its Mate XT trifold design, which reaches as slim as 3.6mm—though notably, it lacks a USB-C port in its thinnest segment.
In addition to its thin build, the Magic V5 is also among the lightest foldables available, weighing just 217 grams. This matches the weight of the recently launched Vivo X Fold 5, underscoring a trend in the foldables market where manufacturers compete over increasingly marginal differences in millimetres and grams.
Such incremental improvements highlight the current state of foldable phone innovation, with the market entering a phase of diminishing returns. Each successive generation brings refinements that are more about fine-tuning than groundbreaking advancements. Analysts suggest that without radical changes, such as eliminating ports or adopting asymmetric designs, manufacturers may struggle to maintain excitement around future foldable launches.
Despite its focus on slimness, the HONOR Magic V5 delivers high-end specifications that rival traditional flagship smartphones. The device is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and offers up to 16GB of RAM. Its 5,820mAh battery is sizable for a foldable phone, while both displays utilise LTPO OLED panels with 120Hz refresh rates for smooth visuals. Additional features include wireless charging and IP58 and IP59 certifications for dust and water resistance, bringing durability standards closer to conventional premium smartphones.
The Magic V5 launch precedes Samsung’s expected unveiling of the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which is rumoured to adopt a slimmer design but is still anticipated to be marginally thicker than HONOR’s latest foldable. As foldables continue to mature, the focus may soon shift from size reductions to new software functionalities, durability enhancements, and practical user experiences to drive the next wave of adoption.
For now, HONOR’s Magic V5 stands as a testament to the rapid evolution of foldable technology, proving that ultra-slim profiles no longer require sacrifices in performance or durability—even if the marketing claims deserve a closer look beyond headline numbers.
